Research TopicsDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences
Ph.D. (2001) Case Western Reserve University
Research Topics
Gonad Development
Ovary Versus Testis differentiation
Research Topics
My research focuses on embryonic development of mammalian female and male gonads. Few genes have been linked to gonad determination or differentiation; fewer yet have been shown to be part of a specific pathway that is essential for development. It has long been suggested that testes development requires an active process while ovarian differentiation is the result of a default development pathway. Several arguments have recently been raised to question this dogma, and studies suggest that the mechanisms for male and especially female gonad development have been grossly oversimplified and are in fact, highly complex. Thus, we postulate that a complex network of genes map distinct determination and differentiation pathways for male and female gonad development. Preliminary data from a gene expression profile experiment using Affymetrix genechips suggest that members of several gene families are important for gonad development. These include, homeobox genes, Wnt, and Sonic hedgehog family members. Our lab uses a variety of cell culture techniques and genetically engineered mice to determine the role that specific genes play in gonad development.
Key Words Gonad, Ovary, Testis, Genechip, Signaling, Networks,
Homeobox Genes, WnT, Shh
Current Research Funding: NIH